License To Carry Question

[bob2055]

A co-worker of mine, who has a valid License to Carry Firearms issued by the City/County of Philadelphia was recently pulled over for a minor traffic violation in Philadelphia. The Officer approached his vehicle and asked him for his license, registration and proof of insurance. My friend provided those valid documents. Then the Officer said something to the effect: I know you have a carry permit are you carrying right now? To which my friend said YES. The Officer asked him where the firearm was and he said its in a holster on my hip. The Officer said, OK do you have your carry permit with you? He said, Yes I do and retrieved it from his wallet and handed it to him. The Officer said ok sit tight, I'm going back to my to car to run your license and I'll be right back. My friend said OK. Several minutes later the Officer emerged from his car, handed my friend all his documents back and said, I'm giving you a verbal warning, next time come to a complete stop at the STOP sign, have a good day. So my question is, since when do they already know you have a LTCF? Is your LTCF attached to Driver's License and/or vehicle registration when its issued? Do all Police Departments have access to this information if you are stopped for a traffic violation? Or does just the county where your LTCF was issued have this information? I'm not on here a lot so I do not know if someone else has brought up this same topic. If they have I apologize.

[Carson]

A Pennsylvania LTCF issued in any County or Philadelphia, since it is its own County, is not attached to your Drivers License. However when we run a tag or person through the MDT, numerous files are queried such as NCIC, PCIC, DMV, etc. On a person, LTCF is also queried. If you run a tag only, but a PA BMV DL matches, it will then query that person through NCIC, PCIC, LTCF, etc.

So in summary it is not attached to your DL. Nothing on your DL shows a LTCF. But if your info is run through the LTCF file, your LTCF will show.

[bob2055]

Thank you for your quick response. From your answer I assume you are a Police Officer or County Dispatcher. I have another question. So if I were to get pulled over in Centre County, PA and my LTCF is issued by Philadelphia City/County can a Centre County Police Officer run an inquiry that will reveal I have a LTCF issued by Philadelphia? I pretty sure by your response, the answer to this question is YES.

[knight0334]

Thank you for your quick response. From your answer I assume you are a Police Officer or County Dispatcher. I have another question. So if I were to get pulled over in Centre County, PA and my LTCF is issued by Philadelphia City/County can a Centre County Police Officer run an inquiry that will reveal I have a LTCF issued by Philadelphia? I pretty sure by your response, the answer to this question is YES.

The LTCF database is separate from the other databases, but if YOU are being looked up for a drivers license validity or pending warrants, they will also look up whether you have a LTCF.

Your drivers license and LTCF are NOT directly tied together, but a couple keystrokes is all it takes to get both.

[bob2055]

Got it Thanks

[bob2055]

I just thought of another question. What if I'm stopped for a minor traffic violation in another state? Will they be able to look up/inquire if I have a LTCF in PA?

[JasonLund]

I just thought of another question. What if I'm stopped for a minor traffic violation in another state? Will they be able to look up/inquire if I have a LTCF in PA?

Be very careful on that 12 mile strip of I-81 through Maryland. PA shares info with MD and MD calls that stretch “gun runner’s alley” because it’s the obvious route for travel between 2 gun friendly states (PA & WV). But MD is viciously anti-2A and they really don’t care if you are complying with FOPA…. It will be up to a judge to determine that.

[bogey1]

He was a white guy I see. Never say you are carrying.

[rwt1405]

Be very careful on that 12 mile strip of I-81 through Maryland. PA shares info with MD and MD calls that stretch *gun runner*s alley* because it*s the obvious route for travel between 2 gun friendly states (PA & WV). But MD is viciously anti-2A and they really don*t care if you are complying with FOPA*. It will be up to a judge to determine that.

More reason to simply get your MD Wear & Carry permit

I went thru the process in Feb 2023, and received it just before heading down to the OBX in late April 2023 (I believe it took about 55 days or so)

I just did my renewal class (8 hrs) and qualification shoot yesterday

They have made the process pretty simple/pain free

I have 3 weeks in the OBX, and enjoy being able to now (since 2023) travel thru MD, without having to stop and store my CCW, to travel approx. 30 min thru MD, then stop again in VA to retrieve to carry again

[Curmudgeon]

More reason to simply get your MD Wear & Carry permit

I went thru the process in Feb 2023, and received it just before heading down to the OBX in late April 2023 (I believe it took about 55 days or so)

I just did my renewal class (8 hrs) and qualification shoot yesterday

They have made the process pretty simple/pain free

I have 3 weeks in the OBX, and enjoy being able to now (since 2023) travel thru MD, without having to stop and store my CCW, to travel approx. 30 min thru MD, then stop again in VA to retrieve to carry again

What are the total costs for this "pain free" process?

For me, the "simple" alternative IS to travel via FOPA, and I say that having been born
and raised there. Although I avoid returning to MD, I would probably go about getting
their Wear and Carry permit, and I have done so for PA and Utah, but their hoops and
costs remind me of the tyranny of the Maryland General Assembly. Hits too close and
brings back too many unpleasant memories for me.

Fortunately it is extremely rare that I have to go to or even through MD. All my family
and friends have also left. The return on that investment can be summed up nicely with
"the juice ain't worth the squeeze".

The final kick? After all the hoops and costs, the MD permit is only good for 2 years.
Fuck that. But each to their own.